In the Hochkalter and Hocheis Groups, the harder Dachstein limestone predominates, rock that was formed by sedimentation in the Tethys Ocean during the Late Triassic stage (220 million years ago).

When the Alps were formed the sloping strata of Dachstein limestone were tipped at an angle of 30° to 40° by tectonic movements of the African and European continental plates.

In prehistoric times – around 3,500 years ago – more than 15 million m³ of rock slid from the upper Blaueis Combe into the valley.

Even today the large glacial erratics in the Zauber Forest bear witness to this monumental event.

But even in recent times there have frequently been large rock-falls: The brittleness of the rock in the Wimbach valley is very obvious.